Doctor of Physical therapy

Career path:

Company:

Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital

Education:

B.S in Exercise Science, Northern Arizona University

Angelo State University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

Meet Heidi Moyer PT, DPT, is a recent graduate from the Angelo State University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. She currently works in Chicago, Illinois at Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital as a staff physical therapist on the acute inpatient rehab department. In this role, most of her patients are older adults with injuries related to falls, neurological impairments, or complex medical comorbidities. She can often be found on the unit running the physical therapy falls prevention treatment group on weekends which provides an open place of discussion for patients who have experienced falls as well as allows these individuals to learn how to fall-proof their homes, fall-proof themselves, and how to survive/recover should a fall occur again.

Her thesis work for her DPT program was an original project dedicated to filling the dearth related to the lack of evidence within the nursing home population in regards to fall risk stratification by the most common outcome measures used in physical therapy practice. Through this research study, along with her multiple clinical affiliations during her training, Heidi was inspired to work with older adults as she was most attracted to the dedication and devotion these individuals tend to have not only in relation to their own care, but also to the care of others around them. She also inspired other students in her program into studying older adults for their research endeavors, and was able to coordinate continuations of her thesis in other settings such as assisted living and memory care units.

This growing demographic of older adults continues to be served by her efforts through her work as the Clinical Liaison for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy’s (AGPT) Balance and Falls Special Interest Group. She also continues to serve older adults outside of the clinic through her role as the Illinois Co-State Advocate for the AGPT and as a member of the executive board for the Gerontological Society of America’s Emerging Scholars and Professionals Organization.

When Heidi is not in the clinic or hard at work on programs for other physical therapists and rehab staff, she is found to be encouraging her peers and Millennials both inside and outside of the medical field to not to be afraid of working with older adults and to explore the possibilities a rewarding career in aging can bring. She feels that the most rewarding part of working with this generation is the immense passion these individuals continue to carry for life despite their current circumstances, past life trials, and often extensive medical complications. Heidi believes that by investing in our older adult population, we are investing in the preservation of not only our past, but our future as well.

Heidi Moyer DPT's career advice: "If you are looking for a career in healthcare to serve older adults, be prepared to treat a very complex population with extensive challenges and trials, but also be equally prepared to be rewarded by the joy and triumphs experienced by your patients within this demographic.”